This is my latest commissioned viola build. There are many steps that take place before I am able to fit my purfling into the top plate. Purfling is the decorative inlay around the edges of the instrument. It is a 3-piece veneer that is handmade, a white inside with two thinner, darker pieces on the outside sandwiched together. Depending on the style we are modeling the instrument after some purfling blacks are lighter then others. Also the thickness varies quite a bit depending on the maker. There are many different wood selections in making purfling. Commonly used materials include; poplar, maple, ebony, and more.

Attached are pictures of the purfling process, the scribing and carving of the channel. The channel with the material removed. Then the bending and fitting of the purfling.

This is a McDevitt made viola that I hand built in 2017. This particular viola is the smallest that I have every made and is my own personal modified Guadagnini model. I have been gearing towards making more “new” looking instruments. As we find our way as makers you learn to develop your own style and personality that shows through in your work. I had a lot of fun making this instrument and it recently found a home with a musician from NYC. Attached are a few photos of the viola being made, I will definitely use this mold again in the near future to build another small McDevitt viola.

My latest addition to my collection of violins is a modern violin by Todd Goldenberg, made in 2003. Todd began his career as a guitar maker where he studied with maker Rob Ehlers. He moved to Chicago were he intended to expand his training in the guitar world but he was hired by the Bein And Fushi firm and he has been making violins ever since.

He later moved to Michigan where he worked for nine years at Shar Music, working closely with David Burgess before opening his own workshop.

Todd makes fine violin, violas and cellos in his workshop in North Berwick, Maine. In 2006 Todd earned a silver medal for cello tone in the V.S.A. Competition. Todd taught at the North Bennet Street School. This is a fine example of Todd Goldenberg’s work.

This violin is available for trial at $12,500.

Buchstetter worked out of Stadtamhof, Regensberg Germany circa. 1730-1780. He was the son of Christoff Buchstetter, a well-regarded maker. Buchstetter mostly delivered Stradivari models and was a fine craftsman.

His varnish was often opaque and thin, a very common use for the place and time. Buchstetter generally speaking always used a fine selection of materials. His Stradivari f-holes were well carved with subtle fluting at the lower wings.

The scrolls were known to be very distinctive with a long neck and deep/open throat.

This particular Buchstetter is a copy. It is a small viola measuring 15 3/8”. It has a violoncello style scroll with a named carved into the back near the button.